Footwear construction

Abstract

A footwear construction comprising a flexible and resilient outsole having a front portion with a plurality of depending moguls on the bottom surface thereof. A midsole is positioned over the outsole and has a front portion with a plurality of spaced holes therethrough which are substantially vertically aligned with some or all of the moguls to enable air flow through the midsole when the moguls are deformed by the weight and walking action of the wearer. A footbed is positioned over the midsole and comprises a soft flexible and resilient body member having a plurality of spaced, raised cushioning elements on the upper surface thereof. The footbed has a front portion with a plurality of spaced apertures therethrough which are substantially vertically aligned with some or all of the holes in the midsole to enable air flow through the body member. An upper extends over the footbed and midsole, and is secured to the outsole.

Description

BACKGROUND [0001] The present invention relates generally to a footwear construction and, more particularly, to such a construction which provides increased comfort and support for the foot of the wearer. [0002] Recent efforts to provide footwear for walking which is both comfortable and anatomically beneficial to the wearer have resulted in many concepts having varying degrees of effectiveness. Most of these concepts are merely variations of other concepts which have been around for years. Historically, there have been a number of attempts to increase the cushioning and support of footwear by making modifications to the outsole, insole or midsole. These attempts have been subject to one or more of the following disadvantages: [0003] 1. They have been complicated in construction; [0004] 2. They have been difficult to manufacture; [0005] 3. They have been expensive to manufacture; [0006] 4. They have not been durable; [0007] 5. They have not been sufficiently comfortable; and, [0008]...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The body member of the footbed preferably is formed of a polyurethane foam that is relatively soft in the nature of foam used for a mattress, upholstered chair or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the body member has a thickness of approximately 6 millimeters and the raised cushioning elements thereof are approximately 6 millimeters in height. The raised cushioning elements preferably are spaced approximately 10-30 millimeters from each other. Because of the flexibility, spacing and size of the raised cushioning elements, they provide enhanced comfort and support to the foot of the wearer and also are self-adjusting to the wearer's foot so that it does not slide on the footbed and thus is very stable when positioned thereon during walking or the like.

[0014] An upper formed of any suitable flexible material is secured to the outsole in any suitable manner. Preferably, the upper is formed of an outer layer, a lining of a fabric that wicks away moisture and suitable padding between the outer layer and the lining. The upper may be provided with elasticized laces that flex with foot movement for comfort and support.

Problems solved by technology

They have been complicated in construction; 2.

They have been difficult to manufacture; 3.

They have been expensive to manufacture; 4.

They have not provided adequate support and stability for the foot of the wearer.

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